Heartbreak at Surrey
Surrey will face Hampshire in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup eliminator on Wednesday after last pair Kate Coppack and Dani Gregory scrambled a leg bye in the final over to beat Somerset in a thrilling winner takes all clash at the Kia Oval.
In a see-saw battle half centuries from Sune Luus (54) and Kira Chathli (51), the latter sharing a stand of 95 for the sixth wicket with Phoebe Franklin, kept the hosts in the chase for a target of 296, though Alex Griffiths’ career-best five for 54 looked to have been decisive until the late drama.
Earlier Niamh Holland hit 130 and Sophie Luff struck 108, the pair sharing a Somerset record third wicket stand of 196 as the visitors piled up 295 for seven.
Bex Odgers and Emma Corney were bowled by Luus and Alice Monaghan respectively, before Luff and Holland took charge.
Luff’s innings gained momentum when she creamed a couple of fours through the covers before pulling a full toss from Dani Gregory for four to reach 50.
Holland’s innings was more belligerent and chanceless until she reached three figures. A savage pull shot for six was the main highlight but the 21-year-old was quick to punish anything wide, cutting and driving the ball to the point fence. Post milestone she was dropped twice as wickets tumbled, but 19 from the final over set an imposing target.
Sophia Dunkley, hit four early boundaries before being dropped by Griffiths. The seamer though atoned for the spill, bowling the England opener as she attempted a ramp shot. Rachel King similarly got a start only to fall lbw to Liv Barnes.
Monaghan and Luus were dropped at backward point and midwicket respectively before threatening a rebuild, but the former’s cameo was cut short when she lofted a full toss down midwicket’s throat.
Luus lofted a drive just short of the rope and swept Chloe Skelton for six as she reached 50 in 46 balls, but immediately after drinks Griffiths bowled Alice Davidson-Richards before taking the scalp of the former South African skipper brilliantly caught down the legside by Katie Jones who was standing up.
Chathli and Franklin wrestled back the initiative taking 13 off one Lola Harris over in their 81 ball stand, Chathli reaching 50 but she was one of two wickets in an over for Skelton.
Griffiths then removed Franklin for a career-best 46 and Kalea Moore pulled up with a hamstring injury and called for a runner before falling next ball to complete Griffiths’ five-fer.
Coppack though claimed a vital four in the last over as Surrey snatched victory.
